The National tribune., 1887-09-29

care for us?" He arose and restrained the
winds, and the sea, or the raging water, by say
ing. Peace! Be still" They ceased and
great calm at once followed Then Christ said
to the Disciples: Why have ye not that de-
gree of trust in me that ye should have? One
seeing how you act, would think ye have no
faith" The Disciples stand wrapped in won
der at such power. and are sensible of even fear
IN the presence of such OmnipOtent sublimity.
They say to each other, What manner of man
Is this, that even the wind and the sea Tor
water obey him?"
Evidently this was miracle. I. The weather
was calm-no signs of Storm We infer this
from the fact the Disciples attempted to cross
the Sea Of Galilee diagonally at night. 2. In
little time, very unexpectedly, q terrible
storm arose; the winds blew tempest; waves
rose on high; the waters ragged. 3. Christ
awOke; looked out upon the storm saw the
danger threatening the ship and crew; was
calm and fearless; ordered the winds to stop
blowing; told the waves they must settle and
become quiet; commanded the waters TO cease
raging. AT once they obeyed. A complete
calm followed Immediately. We recall the
beautiful account given by Virgil of Neptune
calming the sea. Virgil, En-, l. I, lines 102-
1861 We remember also the story of Eous,
the wind calmer. (Idem from line 34) Com
pare Ps., %: 10. All through, we see the COM
pOsure of confidence. A. All the facts connect
This is true not only of the storm, but of the
calming of sea and wind. The miracle was
done in public. >. This was q clear miracle.
tG) 1t is contrary to the usual or normal course
of nature for a calm to follow a storm at once
and that because of simply q command. Christ
did not do even as much as did Xerxes, who,
in an attempt to sOothe certain angry waves
experimental with some fetters. (b) 1t served
TO impress the Disciples with the fact the Au-
thor must have been the Deity. (c) The wit
nesses were seamen, used to storms on said sea,
judges Of the severity of wind and storm and
the agitation of the sea, not easily frightened.
Cd) Had Christ been an impostor, he would
have been the most alarmed Of all.
Suggestions:
1. Seamen can find special comfort in this
lesson. Jesus is with them in every voyage.
We can all feel confidence in Christ when we
find ourselves on stormy waves. Always re-
member the Queller of Galilee's rage. Only
heathen or sinful mariners should fear.
2. Going with Christ, or Christ going with
US, will not relieve us from storm. Often
storms arise, or are permitted tocontnue, so as
TO test and develop the faith Of the followers
of Christ. Often hurricanes may be Tor the
glory of God. (St. John, 11:4) We fire.
queDtly see evidences of Christ,s deity when
we are in afilictiOn.
3. Christ slept during the storm. One, con-
scious of only being good, can be perfectly
trustful and sleep amid dangers. (Ps., AS;
Acts, 1861
A. Go to Christ in times Of danger. ETC.
.. Christ now often in sense sleeps while
storms are about Us, being apparently indiffer-
ent as to our condition. He does not always
relieve at once. This is to cultivate our faith.
He sleeps so as to test our Importantly, to see
whether we be in earnest But Christ never
oversleeps, waking up 60 find all lost and past
help. lisa, 45:15; Hab., 2:3; Ps, I21: A.
Though he sleeps, his heart is awake. Can't,
5:2)
6. Have faith in Christ. Sit is displeasing to
him to see distrust. Our fear is a measure of
our confidence. Perfect love casts out fear. Is
fear sin? Fear shows a lack of faith. (Ps.,
1l2:7; st. Matt, $3.50; IA: 3D. There are
degrees of faith. So far as all practical results
are concerned, perfect faith is equivalent to
certainty.
Z. Pray to Christ. Specially remember he is
our protector in storms of trial, etc. (Ps., 81
g. Prayer always wakes him. Prayer should
be in unity; all the Disciples prayed alike.
The Episcopal prayer book has . prayer ' For
a Person Cor PersonS) Going to Sea-" It also
has a special service 20 be used on ship at sea.
8. We are safe where Christ is. Cesar once
cOmforted some fearful mariners by telling
them they had on board Cesar, as though that
fact were sufficient to insure safety. We are
safe whenever in the path of duty-whenever
we are whore God wants US to be. 1t was at
the suggestion of Christ the Disciples put out
to sea. That was enough.
Lord of EARTH and air and sea-
Supreme in power and grace
Under thy protection we
Our souls and bodies place.
Bold an unknown land TO Try,
We lanch into the foamin. deep;
Rocks. and storms. and deaths defy,
With Jesus in the ship"